Federal, N.W.T. gov'ts commit $760K to fight opioid addiction in territory

The federal and N.W.T. governments are teaming up to make it easier for people to access opioid addictions treatment.

N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod and territorial health minister Glen Abernethy made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.

The federal government is spending $500,000 out of its Emergency Treatment Fund and the territorial government is pitching in just over $260,000.

The money will boostseveral initiatives, includingthe territory's opioid maintenance therapy program, according to Jennifer Harris, an N.W.T. doctor who works in addictions.The programhelps people who are addicted to substances such as fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone or codeine.

Right now, it's mainly offered through Yellowknife's Primary Care Centre, but the federal funding will expand the program outside the territory's capital city, said Harris.

Abernethysaid expanding this program to the communities will be a good thing.

"Even one death, or one hospitalization in communities related to opioid misuse is, frankly, too many," he said.

The money will go to other initiatives, including:

• Opioid agonist therapy, used to prevent withdrawal from opioids
• Training for health practitioners to deal with opioid use disorder
• Money to identify strengths and gaps in resources outside Yellowknife
• Additional health-care staff in the territory

The Emergency Treatment Fund is $150 million earmarked in the 2018 federal budget to fight the opioid crisis through cost-sharing initiatives with provinces and territories.

McLeod said while the money is a good start, he's not "completely certain that this is going to solve the [opioid] issue."

"We'll probably be looking at what do wefor next steps," he said.

No plans for addictions treatment centre: minister

While some people are advocating for a territory-based alcohol and drugs rehabilitation centre, the government says building one isn't in its plans.

• FROM 2013 |Contract axed for N.W.T.'s only addictions treatment centre

"A treatment centre isn't the solution for some people," said AbernethyTuesday.

Abernethy said on average, there are about 12 to 14 people ready for a facility-based treatment down south. In the 2016-17 fiscal year, 172 people were sent to southern facilities, costing the government $2.2million.

But he said there are "way more" people that have taken part in other options for treatment like on-the-land programs.

"I hear you saying that there's a demand for a treatment centre, but treatment centres didn't meet the needs of our residents previously," said Abernethy.

"We'd rather invest in the people and the programming, than in a building."